Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) and Its Constituent S-Allyl-Cysteine (SAC) Inhibit the Expression of Pro-Inflammatory Genes Induced in Bronchial Epithelial IB3-1 Cells by Exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and the BNT162b2 Vaccine
2024

Aged Garlic Extract and S-Allyl-Cysteine Inhibit Inflammatory Genes Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Gasparello Jessica, Papi Chiara, Marzaro Giovanni, Macone Alberto, Zurlo Matteo, Finotti Alessia, Agostinelli Enzo, Gambari Roberto

Primary Institution: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy

Hypothesis

Does aged garlic extract (AGE) and its constituent S-allyl-cysteine (SAC) inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory genes induced by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the BNT162b2 vaccine?

Conclusion

Both aged garlic extract and S-allyl-cysteine effectively inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory genes associated with COVID-19.

Supporting Evidence

  • AGE reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 genes induced by the S-protein.
  • SAC inhibited the release of IL-6 and IL-8 from IB3-1 cells.
  • AGE did not induce cytotoxic effects on IB3-1 cells at the tested concentrations.

Takeaway

Garlic can help reduce inflammation caused by COVID-19, which is important for keeping people healthy.

Methodology

Bronchial epithelial IB3-1 cells were treated with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or BNT162b2 vaccine in the presence of AGE and SAC, followed by RNA isolation and RT-qPCR analysis.

Limitations

The study focused only on three pro-inflammatory genes and did not explore the full range of AGE constituents.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/molecules29245938

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